He watched her climb out of the car. Yes—she’d seen him coming. She was waving. Everything was going to be all right.

As he pulled up to the house, Bucket jumped to the ground and raced over to greet the newcomer. Conner shut down the engine and climbed out of the ATV. As he walked toward her, she ran to him and flung herself into his open arms.

He held her close, loving the feel of her in his arms. She trembled against him, so delicate and vulnerable, and yet so strong. But he could sense that she was troubled.

“What is it?” he murmured, his lips against her hair.

She raised her head to look up at him. Tears glimmered in her dark eyes. “I just got back from Nashville. I called and called to tell you I was leaving. But I couldn’t reach you. I was afraid something had gone wrong.”

“Hey, I’m fine.” His arms tightened around her. “Just my blasted phone—dropped it in a puddle and it stopped working. I tried to find you and tell you, but you were gone. This morning, I was able to call you on Rush’s phone. When you didn’t answer, I left a message.”

“I must’ve been on the plane. And I haven’t checked my messages since I landed in Amarillo.”

“But you say you went to Nashville?” He hated having to ask the question. “What for?”

When she hesitated, the first thing Conner thought of was the boyfriend she’d broken up with. Had she gone to be with him? Was she about to tell him they were back together?

“Tell me,” he said. “It’s all right. I just want the truth.”

“And the truth is what I’m about to give you.” She eased away, reached into her coat pocket, and handed him the keys to her car. “There’s a suitcase in the trunk. If you’ll get it and take it into the house for me, I’ll show you what’s inside.”

Conner strode toward the car, opened the trunk, and tossed her the keys. “What’s in it?” he joked, retrieving the suitcase. “A million dollars? A dead body?”

“You’ll see.”

The suitcase was medium-sized and not too heavy. Megan walked beside him as he carried it toward the porch. “I meant to ask,” she said. “How’s Travis?”

“Getting better. He’s at Maggie’s now. She’s giving him plenty of TLC. And the wedding’s still on track.”

“That’s great news. Nobody deserves a happy day more than those two.”

With Bucket tagging behind them, he carried the suitcase up the steps and through the front door. “Where do you want this?” he asked.

“On one of the beds, if that’s all right. Then I’ll need a minute alone to arrange things.”